Hello, this pre paid tipping is new to me .All our other cruises we tipped in cash as we saw fit. I know it's $10 per person/day but is that for adults only or kids as well? We are 2 adults and a 6 yr old.

Mike, my husband and I always do the pre-tipping arrangement. It's easy, convenient and one less thing we have to worry about while we're sipping on Bloody Marys. If we feel a crew member has gone above and beyond, we tip them extra our last evening on-board.
A'ndrea

Originally posted by MiketheKid:
actually, i just did the pre-paid tipping thing for my upcoming cruise...do people have any opinions as to whether or not its a good idea?

I originally thought that it seemed a bit tacky for a cruise line to do the pre-paid. I thought it would lessen that actual service received since the tips were guaranteed. However, having taken several cruises since this has been implemented, I haven't noticed any decline in service levels.

In retrospect, it has probably helped the service level. The cruise lines must have had issues with travelers undertipping or not leaving a gratuity at all, thus making for bitter employees. The waitstaff and cabin stewards deserve every penny they get for the amount of service they provide, so now, I'm all for them adding the gratuity on, and then tipping extra for services above and beyond.

We did the pre-paid tipping thing on the Valor in early May and that is undoubtedly the best way to go.

Right off the top they add $70.00 for each adult on your sign-and-sail card. After that it's entirely up to you who you tip and how much.

When you order a drink at any one of the bars on board your 15% gratuity is automatically added.

Rosies and similar places are free so tipping someone there is really a matter of choice on your part but isn't typically done; at least I never saw anyone tipping the waitstaff (well, the people that bus your table anyway.)

As soon as we boarded and met our cabin steward I tipped him a $20.00 and I always had ice in my bucket and the cabin was always cleaned and well stocked.

If you play in the casino and you have a cocktail waitress or waitguy that's extremely attentive..go ahead and tip them with a five dollar chip when you leave. They'll be thankful and will remember you if you ever visit the casino again.

One last thing...at the end of the cruise you'll most likely be asked to tip the Maitre 'd. That'll happen at the last dining. I didn't tip him as I didn't see him once during the entire cruise and didn't feel he should be tipped...even holding his hand out collecting the little tip envelope.

Keep in mind that the $10.00 tipping charge CAN be adjusted at the end of the cruise if you feel you've had lousy service overall. How many people actually do that? I dunno. But one thing I do know is if you feel your service is sub-par then by all means say something then and don't wait for it to ruin your cruise for the week.

Whew!! finally..as I said...I didn't tip the Maitre 'd BUT I did tip our head server Julia and her assistant Pande well...they made dining in the Washington dining room at 8 o'clock a magnificant experience.

TarponMan, we didn't tip the Maitre'd on Pride either. He didn't even smile or nod when we walked into the dining room each evening. Same thing with us.... came around our table on the last night at sea, acting like he's known us forever, looking for his hand out. I don't think so.
A'ndrea

You ALWAYS on Carnival have the right to go to the purser's desk and ask for them to be removed from your account. I usually do this...not because I'm cheap...quite the contrary. I want to give the people who helped me money IN PERSON. That way they aren't taxed on it. They appreciate it much more!

I tip the cabin steward $5 per day unless there has been something extra they've done. I tip our waiter $10/day per couple. Add $5 per day for kids. I tip the bus person $4/day. Of course all of this is adjustable depending on if their service is extra good or extra bad! I tip the Maitre'D ONLY if he did somethintg for me.

If you are traveling with kids...over the age of 2 and staying WITH you in youjr room...they will charge you $10/day PER person for adults and I think $5/day for kids but I wouldn't swear to that.

Finally, the reason for the tips automatically added on....some people are CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!! These employees are working almost exclusively for tips. So to not tip your chambermaid just because you didn't like the weather is just cheap!! And people will do that.